APC National Working Committee Ratifies Zoning Arrangement Which Favours Akpabio As Senate President

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May 8, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Despite rising opposition to Godswill Akpabio likely emergence as president of the tenth senate, the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has affirmed the zoning arrangement for the leadership of red chamber.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka on Monday, the the zoning arrangement reported to the NWC is as follows: Senate President – South South Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Deputy Senate President – North West-Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano).

Others are Speaker House of Representatives, North West – Hon. Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna), Deputy Speaker South East-Hon. Ben Kalu (Abia).

The announcement of the zoning arrangement according to Morka, followed a meeting on Monday by the NWC to consider reports of consultations and meetings held with the President- Elect, Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders on the zoning arrangement for the 10th National Assembly.

He said the NWC called for further and better consultation with necessary stakeholders in order to assure the support of the aspirants to the National Assembly leadership positions and members of the Party nationwide.

The party urged its leaders, members and all Nigerians to continue to work for peace and progress of the country during and beyond the current period of leadership transition.

Among groups and members that have expressed their opposition to Akpabio as senate president are Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) senators elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and some south east newly elected senators.

Industrial Court Reverses Gov Obaseki’s Order Banning Union Activities In Tertiary Institutions

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Ayodele Oni

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May 8, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Industrial Court, (NICN) sitting in Benin City, Edo state has reversed the decision by Governor Godwin Obaseki to ban union activities in state owned tertiary institutions.

Justice A. A. Adewemimo declared that the June 8, 2022 directive of the Edo State Government which suspended trade unions’ activities in state owned tertiary institutions in Edo State is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

This was contained in his judgement in suit No: NICN/BEN/41/2022 filed by Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) against the Governor of Edo State, Edo State Government and the Attorney General of Edo State as defendants.

Justice Adewemimo held that the suspension order of the state government was an infringement on the rights of members of SSANU, NAAT and NASU as guaranteed by the Constitution and Trade Union Act.

Consequently, the court declared the directive of the Edo State Government, which suspended trade unions’ activities in tertiary institutions in the State, as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

Obaseki had on June 8, 2022 directed the suspension of trade unions’ activities in Ambrose Alli University, (AAU) Ekpoma and other state-owned tertiary institutions. The suspension order affected the activities of SSANU, NAAT and NASU in the University.

Vexed by the order, SSANU, NAAT and NASU in a joint suit challenged the legality of the suspension, praying the court to declare that the decision of the Governor Godwin Obaseki to suspend the activities of the unions in the University was not in consonance with the provisions of the Trade Union Act, as amended and, therefore, illegal, unlawful and of no effect whatsoever.

They also prayed the court to declare the action of Governor Obaseki as interference in the affairs of trade unions in the university, even as the unions sought for an order of injunction restraining the governor and others in carrying out the suspension of union activities in the university.

Justice Adewemimo, in the judgment, granted all the prayers sought by SSANU, NAAT and NASU.Industrial Court Reverses Gov Obaseki’s Order Banning Union Activities In Tertiary Institutions

Medical Doctors Shut Down Teaching Hospital In Oyo Over Poor Conditions Of Service

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Ayodele Oni

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May 8, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

It turned out to be a disappointment and frustration for patients and relations on Monday as Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, (LAUTTH) Ogbomoso, Oyo State began an industrial action.

The industrial action which is over poor conditions of service, was called by the hospital’s chapter of the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) in a statement by its Chairman, Dr Ayobami Alabi and Secretary, Dr Taiwo Alatishe.

According to the statement, the decision was based on a congress resolution arrived at, at the expiration of an ultimatum earlier issued.

The chapter’s MDCAN declared that it has critically observed the situation in the hospital and there was no definite assurance that issues in contention would soon be resolved either partly or wholly.

The association stated that it has made efforts in the past to safeguard the hospital from total collapse and to reposition it for better training, research, and services for which it was established.

It declared as unacceptable the continued non-payment of salaries of its members recently employed, and the “delay and difficulty in payment of 2016 to 2017 salary arrears by the management.”

The association added that some of the other issues in contention were shortage of manpower across the different cadres of doctors, including consultants, specialists across different fields, resident doctors, specialists in training and house officers.

“The prescribed ratio of doctors expected to function in a tertiary hospital is already distorted and highly eroded by this shortfall undermining quality training and service.

“The persistent inability of hospital management to employ doctors and other staff hinged on the excuse of paucity of funds, has led to failure in expanding the scope of training and services.

“There is also decadence in infrastructure, equipment and facilities which is making the hospital to operate below the optimal standard expected of a teaching hospital.”

It listed the poor conditions of service to include lack of basic facilities like offices for consultants and non-response from management in spite of years of appeal.

“The withdrawal of service is done to safeguard the hospital from total collapse and to reposition it for better training, research, and services for which it was established.

“The board of the hospital failed to respond appropriately and satisfactorily to all these challenges over the years despite our various engagements, tolerance and show of understanding.

“This treatment is anti-labour. It is also considered inhumane with the attending psychological and emotional trauma.”

The association further noted that it was becoming impracticable for the hospital’s management to provide basic amenities for effective service delivery.

The MDCAN appealed to the public, traditional rulers, critical stakeholders and the state government to come to the rescue of the teaching hospital to reposition it for better output.

“Justice Wiii Be Served”, Presidential Tribunal Chairman Assures, As Obi Storms Hearing Venue

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The Source

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May 8, 2023

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Peter Obi at Presiential Election Petition Tribunal

The Presidential Election Tribunal hearing kicked off on Monday, May 8, exactly 73 days after the February 25th election and 69 days after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu declared the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, flag bearer Bola Ahmad Tinubu winner of the election in the wee hours of March 1st, 2023 amid the barrage of complaints from a cross-section of Nigerians including the foremost elder statesman former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi one of the four Presidential candidates that filed petitions was conspicuously present in court at the commencement of a hearing by a five-member Panel of Justices led by Justice Haruna Simon Tasmani, with Justices Stephen Adam, BM Ugo, Bolaji Yusuf, and AB Muhammad.

Before the case was adjourned to Wednesday, May 10, the counsels exchanged filing of applications on pre-hearing issues.

The presiding Justice Tasamani assured all the parties that Justice will be served.

The LP standard bearer was accompanied to the court by the National Chairman of the Party Bar Julius Abure and other National officers of the party as well as Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senator Victor Umeh.

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate is seeking that the court declare him as the proper winner of the February 25 Presidential election among other demands.

In their separate response, counsels to the President-Elect, Wole Olanikpekun; Atiku Abubakar, Chris Uche, Peter Obi, and Livy Uzoukwu, all assured the court of their full cooperation and support in ensuring a speedy hearing and determination of the case.

Senate Presidency: South-east Senators-elect Rise In Anger; Tackles Tinubu Over Akpabio

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 8, 2023

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Ifeanyi Ubah and Orji Uzor Kalu and Izunaso

By Akinwale Kasali

Senators-elect from the South-east Region are angry. They are upset over what they say is glaringly that the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government, to be led by President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has no plans to accomodate their Zone in the leadership of Nigeria. The Senators-elect say that the Zone has gradually, but surely, been marginalised in the scheme of of leadership come May 29, 2023, the take-off date of the new Government.

What pains them most is the office of the Senate President which is slipping out of their hands. Not a few people, including majority of the Igbo, had thought that the APC, seeing the dicey situation in the country, would Zone the office to it – for balance, for fairness, for justice. They took it for granted.

So, about three of the Zone’s sons – Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, currently the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Osita Izunaso, newcomer, Engr. Dave Umahi- threw their hats in. They went lobbying every who-is-who, including President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect Bola Tinubu to weigh in on their behalf.

While mum was the word from Buhari who has become a lame duck, not so from Tinubu. He dumped the South-east for the position and pitched his net with the South-south.

It was the Governor of Kano State, a close associate of Tinubu, who informed Nigerians that the immediate past Minister of the Niger Delta, who was a two-term Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, will be the Senate President. Aghast, many wondered how, and what had become of the South-east which took the office for granted as compensation for its long political marginalisation, especially, since 2015, under the APC Government.

They waited to see if Tinubu would debunk Ganduje’s statement.

But no.

Instead, one of their own, Umahi, stepped down for Akpabio and informed that President-elect, Tinubu, invited him and asked him to step down for Akpabio. Umahi then added: “Akpabio is my consensus candidate.”

Shocked, the Senators-elect from the Zone, across Party lines, including Kalu and Izunaso, except Umahi and four others, have risen in anger.

At a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, 6th May, 2023, they decried the brazen marginalisation of the South-east in the arrangement of political offices in the incoming Government. They bemoaned the fate of the Zone. They rejected the apparent endorsement of Akpabio by Tinubu and the APC leadership. They said, everything considered, the office should go to the South-east. They called on Tinubu to quickly correct the bewildering situation. And, among other reasons, decided that they would vote for any candidate from the Zone on the day of the inauguration of the National Assembly.

Following is full the text of the Communique read at the end of the meeting by its Convener, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, Anambra, of the Young Peoples Party, YPP.

“We have observed with dismay the antics of some persons with vested selfish interest, who have planted themselves around the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and have vowed to shut down the South-east from the Senate Presidency of the 10th Senate.

“Beyond ethnic and religious considerations, in the forthcoming 10th Senate, the South-east have been blessed with top ranking Senators, including members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who have the capacity, competence, influence, experience and political followership to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber.

“It becomes imperative that the All Progressives Congress, APC, uphold the principle of electoral justice and equity which it preaches, founded on Zoning the seat of the Senate to the SouthEast Region.

“The President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration which gave all aspirants equal opportunities to exercise their fundamental human rights during the APC Presidential Primaries.

“He should be conscious of the implication of zoning and choosing and endorsing a consensus candidate from the South-south without any regard for the South-east. Such a move will no doubt serve as a recipe for injustice which will culminate in restiveness.

“We implore the President Elect to be sensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensure that the country continues to thrive on equity, fairness and unity on the tripod of Nigeria that includes, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and otthe geo political Zones.

“The country is already divided among ethnic and religious lines due to the exclusion of the South-east Region which formed the major reasons the APC received the amount of votes from the South-east. The incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must correct the anomalies by making sure that the South-east is given the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.

“With the sidelining of the South-east from producing the Presidential Candidates of the major political parties before the General Election, the only means in which the Region can be compensated and given a sense of belonging is by zoning the Senate Presidency to the region.

“This will restore confidence into the people of the South- east geo’political zone and indeed all Nigerians in the unity of the country.

“The APC must rise above primordial and political interest and shun the winner takes-all syndrome and pursue ethno-religious inclusivity and have a strong viral progressive, prosperous and equitable nation.

“Mr President-elect, how will every Igbo Man feel after experiencing and having evidence of total discrimination?

“The South- east has been denied to produce a President since 1966. The South-south has produced a President for six Years and also produced a Deputy Senate President in the outgoing administration.

“The only Zone in the South that has not been favoured is the South-east. The outcry of marginalization of the South-east and the entire Igbo must be addressed by the incoming administration other than aggravating it.

“The South-west has President, the North-east has Vice President. It is only just that the least position that can assuage the South east is by giving it a chance to be the Senate President in the 10th Senate.

“On this note, we have collectively resolved that we will support the South-east aspirant of the APC. We are committed, and we have expanded negotiations with all well-meaning Senators- elect to rally round the South-east to ensure that the peace and unity of the country prevails.

“We remain hopeful that together, we will achieve a harmonious 10th Senate deepening the democracy, fairness and unity for our dear country.

“The Comminique was signed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator P.C Ndubueze, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Senator Okey Ezea”

Recall that President-elect, Tinubu, pointedly, excluded the Igbo from the membership of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee.

Osun Governorship: Adeleke Knows Fate Tuesday; Supreme Court Set To Deliver Judgement

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Ayodele Oni

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May 8, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Supreme Court is set to lay to rest controversy trailing the outcome of last year’s governorship election in Osun state.

The apex court on Monday fixed Tuesday, May 9 to deliver a make or mar judgment in the disputed July 16, 2022 Governorship election.

The Court fixed the date for the judgment after taken arguments from parties involved in the matter.

At the centre of the disputed election is the incumbent Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke who contested for the poll on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Adegboyega Oyetola who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate.

Oyetola is the appellant in the instant matter in the Supreme Court having lost at the Court of Appeal, while Adeleke is the major respondent being the winner of the Court of Appeal decision.

The Supreme Court will deliver the final verdict by 2 pm of May 9.

At the proceedings, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN argued for the APC.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Friday March 24 vacated the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgment of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

Why Peter Obi visited Soyinka

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The Source

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May 8, 2023

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By Val Obienyem

To understand Mr. Peter Obi’s visit to Prof. Wole Soyinka, I shall tell you the story of my encounter with him.

At the height of the exchange between Soyinka and Nigerians, Soyinka requested a debate with Alhaji Datti or his representative. I struck an idea and was delighted with it. I told a few people about my plan to get a man learned in all the technics of debate to take on Soyinka.

Excited like Archimedes, I almost ran to Obi over my idea. After listening to me, Obi said: “Val I realise the spirit with which you are saying this. Calm down and remain placid. If we were all hot, we would all burn.” I replied: “ If we were all cold Your Excellency, we shall all freeze.” In his characteristic moderation, always looking for the golden mean, he said: no matter the provocation, you are not expected to fight your father, instead, you allow fraternal love to overshadow whatever object of provocation.”

Explaining further, he went empirical: “ Val, May God continue to grant the soul of your father eternal rest, but let me ask you, if your father were still alive and make some comments you consider as not palatable what would you do? In the midst of the confusion, if your father requests a live debate with you to rest the matter finally, would you oblige him? At this point I was completely disarmed.

The aim of this is for those thinking or wondering what informed his visit to Soyinka to read and understand the working of his mind. It is not for nothing that those who work closely with him see him as the personification of wisdom.

Obienyem, a Lawyer, former Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, is a long-time Media Adviser to Peter Obi

Speakership: Labour Party Candidate Joins Race

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James Orji

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May 8, 2023

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Ibe Osonwa, a Labour Party, LP, lawmaker has joined the race to become Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Osonwa, a first-timer in Nigeria’s lower chamber of the National Assembly, NASS, threw his hat in the ring less than 48 hours after reports that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu has endorsed Tajudeen Abass, a lawmaker from Kaduna state as the next Speaker.

Tinubu’s endorsement of Abbas, the magazine learned has the support of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This cannot be said of the other political parties in the chamber which have more elected members than the ruling party.

The figures provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC indicate that the combination of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, LP, and others have more elected members than the ruling party which appears poised to produce the next speaker.

This is more so considering that the LP said on Sunday that it has not endorsed any candidate for the position.

Speaking on his plan to become Speaker, Osonwa a member-elect from Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia, said he has joined the race to contest with other candidates.

The fresher lawmaker made this known when the South-East Young Professionals, a pressure group, from his region paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said he’s qualified to be the Speaker of the 10^th Assembly, even though many have equally cautioned that his chances to attain the position are very slim considering NASS rules that bare new members from contesting the top position.

Only ranking members can contest the position, according to the rule.

Speaking on his ambition, the lawmaker said, “We are taking everything into consideration while speaking to the leadership of the House and the South-East caucus.

“This is a moving sand. No positions have been taken. We do not get to elect the speaker until June 13.

“While the Constitution does not recognise ranking members but the House Standing Rules does, we will consult to know what our issues are.”

“We are going to embark on a mission of national integration. Diversity should not be our weak point but our strength and we must harness it.”

The LP Caucus led by Victor Ogene, a returnee member representing Ogbaru, Anambra state Federal Constituency said in a statement on Sunday that the party has not endorsed any candidate for speakership.

In an acceptance speech soon after he was elected Leader of the Caucus Ogene said the party will soon take a united position on the matter.

“May I use this opportunity to reiterate that the Labour Party caucus, House of Representatives, has not endorsed any Speakership aspirant.

“In fact, anyone desirous of our votes on the day of inauguration must first convince us, as a bloc, of what his plans and programmes for the Nigerian people are. While we may have individual preferences, I can assure you that at the end of the day, the Labour Party shall stand as one, indivisible entity to take a common and progressive stand,” Ogene said.

LP has a 34-member-elect in the National Assembly that’s expected to be inaugurated on June 6 this year.

Tinubu Vs Others: PDP Demands Live Broadcast Of Tribunal

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James Orji

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May 8, 2023

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Ahead of the commencement of the sitting of the presidential petition Tribunal on Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the May 29 swearing-in of the winner of the last presidential election is not sacrosanct.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared winner of the election by the Independent National Election Commission, INEC and is billed to assume office in a few days by taking over from the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure ends that day.

But some Nigerians have opined that the swearing-in should be postponed until all the election petitions are decided by the courts.

The opposition PDP whose candidate, Atiku Abubakar is asking the court to declare him winner, has also demanded that the Tribunal sittings be broadcast live on national televisions.

The party’s demand is contained in an application filed by its counsel, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

Uche in the petition has applied for “An order directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipment into the courtroom.”

The PDP said many Nigerians who participated in the February 25 election and the international community are interested in the proceedings of the Tribunal, saying that they want to see whether justice will truly be dispensed by the courts.

This can only be done by ensuring that the proceedings are broadcast live, the opposition party said.

According to the PDP, “With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this court, and will enhance public confidence.”

Speaking earlier on the May 29 handover date, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi said the swearing-in could be postponed, saying that the wrong person should not be allowed to take over the presidency until the Tribunal decides the winner.

Amadi, a former Adviser to Senate President Ken Nnamani, said the court must be allowed to make a clarification on the legal status of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

He wrote, “Clarification on Legal Status of President-Elect.

“@officialABAT is PRESIDENT-ELECT. But he is not yet President.

It isn’t automatic that he will form the next government. He has a serious case in tribunal that can go either way.

The tribunal can stop the inauguration before 29.

“Like I always say, corruption in language leads to corruption in statecraft. Just as the law gave @inecnigeria power to make a declaration, it gives the judiciary the power to reverse it. There’s no constitutional duty to inaugurate on May 29 if a declaration is legally challenged as here.

“There is no fait accompli about the situation. Some use of language can create a false narrative where we believe that a declaration by @inecnigeria no matter how wrong constitutes a new government. No. It does not, until the final court says so,” Amadi said in a statement on his verified Twitter handle.

After Several Delays Buhari Set To Commission Dangote Refinery

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James Orji

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May 8, 2023

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The multi-billion naira Dangote Refinery will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in a few days, according to Bashir Ahmad, the president’s Special Assistant on Digital Communications.

The president will commission the project just a few days after the federal government said it has postponed the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The Buhari administration said it has left the decision to end the subsidy regime to the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu who is expected to take power on May 29 this year.

The petrochemical refinery owned by Africa’s richest man was initially billed to be commissioned last year by the president, but the event was later postponed.

The 650, 000 barrels per day integrated refinery project located in the Lekki free trade zone area of Lagos state will now be commissioned on May 22, Bashir said in a tweet on Sunday.

According to him, “Efforts by the Federal Government to make Nigeria self-sufficient in local refining of crude oil to save the scarce foreign exchange used in the importation of petroleum products have received a boost as the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, is set for inauguration on May 22nd, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The project, which cost an estimated $19 billion to build, is Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility and is expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs.

The project, when it starts operations fully is expected to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand apart from serving as a major export earner for the country.

The cost of building the refinery, according to figures made available by the company is more than $19 billion.